Looming 30 meters (98 feet) over the Avebury countryside, the steep grassy slopes of Silbury Hill are an incongruous sight against the backdrop of gently rolling farmlands.

This is no ordinary hill, however - the fascinating man-made structure dates back to around 2400BC and is the largest prehistoric monument of its kind in Europe.

Experts have long debated the significance of Silbury Hill, but while there are few indications of its actual purpose, its size (comparable to the Egyptian pyramids) and careful construction are none-the-less impressive.

The mysterious hill also makes an intriguing addition to England's UNESCO-listed Neolithic monuments, which include the Avebury Ring, the West Kennet Long Barrow and Stonehenge.

Magical Journeys to England

Travel with ease on your holiday to magical England and make the most of your time here.

Discover your destination with extensive travel guides that offer a host of options to see and experience the most popular attractions. Find the perfect things to do - guided tours, independent travel, sightseeing and a wide range of activities to make your journey magical. You'll also find the perfect accommodation choices; hotels, villas, resorts, B&B's, inns, apartments, guesthouses and more […]

Discover England

England is loaded with cherished icons of a past era. But it also does modernity with a confidence and panache left over from its days in the never-setting sun. Fashion, fine dining, clubbing, shopping - England's rates with the world's best. Until recently England was generally thought of as a gentle, fabled land freeze-framed sometime in the 1930s, home of the post office, country pub and vicarage. It's now better known for vibrant cities with great nightlife and attractions, contrasted with green and pleasant countryside […]

When in London …

With the rise of England to first European, then global prominence, the city became a great centre of government, industry and culture. London's long association with the theatre, for example, can be traced back to the English Renaissance - witness the Rose Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe and great playwrights, like Shakespeare, who made London their home. […]